China’s generative AI rules, explained
Four rules shape how AI services reach users in China: algorithm recommendation, deep synthesis, generative AI services and content labeling.
Four rules, in order
Algorithm recommendation provisions, in force since March 1, 2022, set up the algorithm filing system that later AI rules reuse.
Deep synthesis provisions, in force since January 10, 2023, cover synthetic text, images, audio and video, and require generated content to be labeled.
The Interim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services, in force since August 15, 2023, were issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) with six other government departments.
The Measures for Labeling AI-Generated Synthetic Content, in force since September 1, 2025, define explicit labels that users can see and implicit labels embedded in file data.
Who the generative AI rules apply to
The Interim Measures apply to generative AI services offered to the public inside mainland China. Organizations that develop or use generative AI without offering it to the public in China are outside their scope (Article 2).
Services with “public opinion attributes or social mobilization capacity” must pass a security assessment and complete algorithm filing (Article 17).
What it means if you are outside China
The rules govern services offered to the public in China. When you use a Chinese model through a global API or download open weights, the terms and laws where you operate still apply. Check each provider’s own terms.